Animal Genetic Resources, 2011, 48, 47–61. © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2011 doi:10.1017/S2078633610001256 Farming and biodiversity of pigs in Bhutan K. Nidup1,2, D. Tshering3, S. Wangdi4, C. Gyeltshen5, T. Phuntsho5 and C. Moran1 1Centre for Advanced Technologies in Animal Genetics and Reproduction (REPROGEN), Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Australia; 2College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Lobesa, Bhutan; 3Department of Livestock, National Pig Breeding Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Thimphu, Bhutan; 4Department of Livestock, Regional Pig and Poultry Breeding Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Lingmithang, Bhutan; 5Department of Livestock, Regional Pig and Poultry Breeding Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Gelephu, Bhutan Summary Pigs have socio-economic and cultural importance to the livelihood of many Bhutanese rural communities. While there is evidence of increased religious disapproval of pig raising, the consumption of pork, which is mainly met from imports, is increasing every year. Pig development activities are mainly focused on introduction of exotic germplasm. There is an evidence of a slow but steady increase in the population of improved pigs in the country. On the other hand, indigenous pigs still comprise 68 percent of the total pig population but their numbers are rapidly declining. If this trend continues, indigenous pigs will become extinct within the next 10 years. Once lost, this important genetic resource is largely irreplaceable. Therefore, Government of Bhutan must make an effort to protect, promote and utilize indigenous pig resources in a sustainable manner. In addition to the current ex situ conservation programme based on cryopre- servation of semen, which needs strengthening, in situ conservation and a nucleus farm is required to combat the enormous decline of the population of indigenous pigs and to ensure a sustainable source of swine genetic resources in the country. Keywords: Bhutan, biodiversity, conservation, exotic breeds, farming, indigenous pigs Résumé Les porcs ont une importance socio-économique et culturelle pour les moyens d’existence de nombreuses communautés rurales du Bhoutan. Bien qu’il existe des preuves de la désapprobation croissante de la religion pour ce qui est de l’élevage des porcs, la con- sommation de leur viande, principalement satisfaite par l’importation, augmente chaque année. Les activités de mise en valeur des porcs sont surtout concentrées sur l’introduction de matériel génétique exotique. Certaines indications montrent un accroissement lent mais régulier de la population de porcs améliorés dans le pays. D’autre part, les porcs indigènes représentent encore 68 pour cent du total de la population porcine, mais ils sont en baisse rapide. Si cette tendance se poursuit, les porcs indigènes seront disparus d’ici dix ans. Une fois perdue, cette ressource génétique importante est en grande partie irremplaçable. Par conséquent, le Gouvernement du Bhoutan doit faire des efforts pour protéger, promouvoir et utiliser de façon durable les ressources des porcs indigènes. Pour lutter contre la baisse considérable de la population de porcs indigènes et pour assurer dans le pays une source durable de ressources génétiques porcines, il est nécessaire d’organiser, en plus du renforcement du programme en cours de conservation ex situ basé sur la cryoconservation du sperme, la conservation in situ et une exploitation de base. Mots-clés: biodiversité, Bhoutan, conservation, élevage, porcs indigènes, races exotiques Resumen Los cerdos tienen importancia socio-económica y cultural para el sustento de muchas comunidades rurales de Bután. Si bien existen evidencias de que ha aumentado la desaprobación religiosa de la cría de cerdos, el consumo de su carne, que es principalmente con- ocido por las importaciones, crece cada año. El desarrollo de actividades relacionadas con el cerdo se centra principalmente en la introducción de germoplasma exótico. Se ha constatado un aumento lento pero constante de la población de cerdos mejorados en el país. Por otra parte, los cerdos autóctonos siguen constituyendo el 68 percent de la población porcina total, pero su número está disminuyendo rápidamente. Si esta tendencia continúa, los cerdos pertenecientes a poblaciones locales se extinguirán en los próximos diez años. Una vez perdido, este importante recurso genético es en gran parte insustituible. Por lo tanto, el Gobierno de Bután debe hacer un esfuerzo para proteger, promover y utilizar los recursos porcinos autóctonos de manera sostenible. Además del actual programa de conservación ex situ, basado en la crioconservación de semen que es preciso reforzar la conservación in situ y el establecimiento de un núcleo de producción, necesario para combatir la enorme disminución de la población de cerdos autóctonos y para asegurar una fuente sostenible de recursos genéticos en la especie porcina en el país. Palabras clave: biodiversidad, Bután, cerdos autóctonos, conservación, crianza, razas exóticas Submitted 24 March 2010; accepted 14 December 2010 Correspondence to: K. Nidup, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Australia. email: [email protected]; [email protected] 47 48 K. Nidup et al. Introduction pigs are reared by certain ethnic groups only (Rai, Limbu, Magar, Tamang, Sherpa, Tharu and Bhutan is a small kingdom situated in the Eastern part of Biswakarma). Unlike the Buddhist, there is little religious the Himalayan range between latitudes 26°45′ N and 28° disapproval of raising and slaughtering of pigs among 10′ N, and longitudes 88°45′ E and 92°10′ E. It is a land- Hindus. Irrespective of ethnicities, pig raising has been locked country bordered by Tibet (autonomous region of economically beneficial, particularly to the rural poor China) in the north, the Indian states of Bengal and and socially disadvantaged people (Timsina and Sherpa, Assam in the south, Arunachal Pradesh in the east and 2005). Darjeeling and Sikkim in the west. Bhutanese rear pigs for many purposes, including social, Bhutan has an area of 38 394 km2 (14 824 sq mi) with a cultural and economic reasons. Traditionally, pig owner- population of 634 982 (RGoB, 2009). It has 20 districts, ship and slaughtering conveyed status, wealth and informal which are broadly divided into four developmental regions power. In the early Bhutanese cashless society, pigs were a namely (Figure 1a): eastern region, east-central region, very important medium by which social significance was western region and west-central region. measured. Meals served with pork promoted group cohe- In addition to a rich flora and fauna that make Bhutan one sion and identity, and facilitated civic and private celebra- of the ten global biodiversity hotspots, the country is also tions. Even today, pork is one of the vital components of endowed with diverse domestic animal species including Bhutanese cuisines, be it during marriages, festivals or yaks, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, buffaloes, poultry and New Year celebrations. Penjor (2008) provides an account pigs. Domestic animals are found in almost all the six of the important roles of pigs during marriages in the lower agro-ecological zones ranging from the subtropical to the Kheng of the Zhemgang district. In remote villages, people alpine region (Figure 1b). still carry pigs from one place to another either as a gift or in exchange for other commodities. Bhutanese pigs have been an important contributor to fi human welfare in the past, and may possess characteristics Pigs also serve as sacri cial animals, as votive offerings to that will be needed again to meet new or re-emerging local deities (Yul-Lha or Naep). Bonism and Shamanism needs. The loss of these genetic resources would be cata- (native religion of Tibet) rituals, which still prevail in fi strophic to the livelihood of many poor rural communities. many parts of Bhutan, require the sacri ce of pigs to the Therefore, it is urgent to draw up an inventory and under- local deities for bountiful crops, to reduce the risk of natu- stand the nation’s pool of swine resources for promotion ral calamities, to improve the health of an ailing person, and sustainable utilization as envisaged in Bhutan 2020 and for peace, happiness and prosperity of the community. vision (PCS, 1999). Such practices in the Bongo village of the Chukha district and in the Trashi Tokha village of Wangdue district have been documented by Wangchuk (2005) and Dorji Objectives (2004), respectively. Animal sacrifice provides a good source of protein for those involved in the rituals, which To document the socio-economic and cultural importance in some cases involve distribution of meat immediately of pigs to the Bhutanese people, review current state of after the sacrifice. rural pig farming and its development initiatives, and assess the biodiversity and population trends of both Consumption of pork is well imbedded in Bhutanese gas- improved and indigenous pigs. This paper will provide tronomic tradition and continues to rise (DoL, 2007), baseline information for future studies. despite increasing prices per kg of pork. The current cost of a kg of pork sold with bones intact is about Nu. 100 (~US$2.00). The consumption of pork is increasing Importance of pigs in Bhutan every year (Figure 2) while domestic production remains Bhutan has both indigenous and imported exotic breeds of static. pigs. The former are also called native or local to dis- Over the last five years, pork importation has increased tinguish them